CHESTER MP Christine Russell voted with the Government over its controversial plan to extend the detention of terrorism suspects without charge from 28 days to 42 days.

She was not among those Labour rebels who were in agreement with the Conservatives in having concerns about the impact on civil liberties.

Ms Russell said: “I think the whole thing has been horribly misrepresented by the media who have become obsessed with the issue.

“I have received a few e-mails but, to be honest, I think the arguments put forward are ludicrous. Some people don’t seem to understand the nature of the global terrorist threat facing this country today and make comparisons with the IRA, but you cannot compare the global terrorist threat with sectarianism in Northern Ireland.”

Ms Russell said the investigation into the plot to blow up transatlantic aircraft had shown the necessity for an extension because the police had to monitor hundreds of computers and thousands of discs before making a decision over whether to charge.

She added: “The way it’s been portrayed is that someone will be arrested and banged up for six weeks, but we are not saying that at all. It’s got to be absolutely exceptional cases.”

Ms Russell said opponents made comparisons with other countries, saying foreign governments had not taken such drastic measures, but she explained that some nations already had the necessary powers.

“In France, a person can be held for a period of four years and still not go on trial. Someone can be arrested, held in custody for four years and then the judge can say there is not enough evidence and they can be released.”

Ms Russell said she was not a lawyer but did not believe a claim that the 42- day detention period would contravene the European Convention on Human Rights.